Victoria Shachtay died Friday morning inside her Innisfail, Alberta, townhome after opening a package delivered to her front door that contained an explosive.

Twenty-three-year-old Vicky Shachtay, pictured with daughter Destiny, died last Friday after an explosive device was hand-delivered to her Innisfail, Alberta, townhome.

By:Kenyon WallaceToronto Star, Published on Tue Nov 29 2011

Police have confirmed that the death of a 23-year-old paraplegic single mother who received a parcel bomb late last week was a targeted killing.

Victoria Shachtay died Friday morning inside her Innisfail, Alta., townhome after opening a package delivered to her front door that contained an explosive. The blast blew out a window and sent debris flying onto the street in front of her ground-floor unit.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Patrick Webb said an autopsy conducted late Monday indicated to investigators that Shachtay had been targeted.

“There is a detail that we’re holding onto for now that tells us she was targeted. What we don’t know is why she was targeted,” he said Tuesday. “Until we know exactly why she was a target, we are still advising residents to be vigilant about any other unexpected hand-delivered packages. If you see anything suspicious, let us know.

“But we’re not saying there is serial bomber out there by any means.”

Shachtay’s 7-year-old daughter, Destiny, was not at home at the time. Another woman, Shachtay’s 30-year-old caregiver, was inside the residence when the package exploded, but escaped without injury.

Friends describe Shachtay, who was confined to a wheelchair six years ago after a serious car accident, as popular and friendly, devoted to her daughter and a steady presence at Innisfail Alliance Church.

“She was a wonderful mom, a wonderful lady and just a great gal,” said Dave Wiebe, a pastor at the church and a spokesperson for the Shachtay family. He said the family had no comment about the fact that Shachtay had been targeted

“They continue to be devastated by Vicky’s death.”

Friend Rachelle Dubois-Donahue, who coordinates the children’s program at Innisfail Alliance Church, said Shachtay was always eager to lend a helping hand.

“She was my right-hand woman,” Dubois-Donahue told the TorontoStar Monday. “She would always be asking, ‘What can I do?’ We’d spend hours doing craft prep. It takes a while when you’re doing prep for 75 kids.”

Dubois-Donahue said she could not fathom why anyone would want to harm Shachtay. “It’s shocking to all of us.”

Webb said investigators anticipate that bomb experts combing through Shachtay’s townhome complex will complete their work late Tuesday. He said police hope to allow residents who were evacuated following Friday’s blast back into the complex.

No arrests have been made in the case, but Webb said police were delving deeply into Shachtay’s past.

More on thestar.com

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.